Windows 10 version 1803 April 2018 update broke bluetooth volume control.

Anonymous
2018-05-02T03:45:36+00:00

My pc automatically updated to the April 2018 update, version 1803.

After restarting my PC I notice my volume control via Bluetooth will not adjust the volume anymore. Speakers are Creative T30

However if I am in WMP or iTunes the slider changes the volume.

If I use my Microsoft keyboard volume keys or the speaker Icon on the taskbar the slider moves but no volume is changed. However if I slide all the way left the volume turns off.

Anyone else having issues.

Any ideas or is a Microsoft patch already required?

I have tried uninstalling driver and rebooting but no change.

Cheers

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2018-11-14T20:40:54+00:00

Microsoft is aware of reports that the Absolute Volume feature is incompatible with some Bluetooth devices, resulting in the inability to adjust the Bluetooth device’s volume.  If you are experiencing this issue, neither the volume slider in the taskbar, nor the device’s volume controls have any effect on volume.

To resolve this issue, first make sure you’ve installed the latest Windows Updates.  A solution was included in the October 24, 2018—KB4462933 (OS Build 17134.376) update for Windows 10 version 1803.  To check for updates, select the Start button, and then go to Settings> Update & security> Windows Update, and select Check for updates.

Three devices that are known to experience the issue will automatically have the Absolute Volume feature disabled and should no longer experience the issue once you’ve installed KB4462933:  Creative T30 Wireless Speakers, Edifier R2000 DB, and the JBL Go.

For other Bluetooth devices, once you’ve installed KB4462933 or once you've installed Windows 10 version 1809, you can resolve the issue by disabling Absolute Volume manually by making a change in the registry.  (Warning:  Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. For added protection, back up the registry before attempting to modify it.)

To disable the Absolute Volume feature manually:

1.     In the Search box, type cmd.  Right-click Command Prompt in the Search results and select Run as administrator.

2.     In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

To re-enable the Absolute Volume feature:

1.     In the Search box, type cmd.  Right-click Command Prompt in the Search results and select Run as administrator.

2.     In the Command Prompt window, type the following command:

reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Bluetooth\Audio\AVRCP\CT /v DisableAbsoluteVolume /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

You may need to restart Windows for the registry change to take effect.

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2018-05-22T02:09:21+00:00

Windows bluetooth dev here

If anyone can't control their BT speaker/headphones volume from the PC after the update, can you share a product link to what device you're using?

We added "absolute volume" in the last update which lets the Windows volume slider directly control the local volume of BT speakers/headphones who support it.

Sorry to hear this is happening, I already made a note to look into the Creative T30/T50, Edifier 1700BT, JBL Bar 5.1, we want this to work as best as possible so let me know the devices you're having issues with and we'll look into it.

Thanks guys!

Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

161 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-08-09T12:52:30+00:00

    In that case they're damned if they do or if they don't. In such cases why is it fair to blame Microsoft themselves? Surely if the other OS developers also afforded this level of control for your speaker, the 'volume mismatch' problem when using different devices would be totally alleviated so how can that be Microsoft's fault?

    I don't for one second believe this is an arbitrary change, to the contrary, I think it's one they've been wanting to do for a long time. In the end people simply want to control their speaker or headset volume and any system that takes 'full control' of that matter is a good thing In my books (rather than having to adjust both a devices own volume control and then the OS's own volume slider (two actions to achieve the one outcome).

    I use my BT headset with multiple devices too (both my Win 10 tablet using ver 1803 and my Win 10 phone which (unfortunately for me) hasn't been/wont be updated beyond ver 1709. This means the former has the ability to directly control my headsets volume and the latter doesn't. I normally have my headset on max volume using its own volume control when connected to my phone and set the phones volume half way for optimal listening, when I connect the headset to my tablet instead I don't have blaring loud volume however so I'm not sure what you're getting at re changing volumes when swapping devices (maybe this is a headset specific issue)?

    Certainly its a concern that this new volume control only works 'intermittently' for you, it's rock solid for me now I've updated my BT receiver/transmitter drivers (although it definitely wasn't before then). Installing the correct drivers for my hardware made the world of difference for me, maybe it will for you too (assuming your BT receiver/transmitter manufacturer gets onboard and releases or re-releases suitable drivers)?

    For those people with old/not fully supported BT receiver/transmitters there may be the option of using a newer USB BT receiver/transmitter but admittedly this would come at a cost. I understand the annoyance of people in this situation. Sometime older hardware slipping off the 'supported radar' is the price we pay for progress

    So all manufacturers of devices that wish to pair with Bluetooth speakers have to - at great expense - rewrite software to fall in line with Microsoft's arbitrary (you do know what this word means, right?) decision to directly control the volume control of a speaker? Despite the fact there is no user demand for this function and everything worked perfectly fine before. You've never run a business have you? You get nowhere offering failed solutions to problems which don't exist. 

    In addition, there was no forewarning to these manufactures from Microsoft that this was going to happen and the implementation was so poor the new 'functionality' didn't work (hence the existence of this thread and now our tiresome discourse), despite Windows updates being put through the Insider Program for bugs to be ironed out. 

    Like I said: corporate arrogance...

    To be honest Kiwi, I don't really think you have a clue what you are talking about.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-08-09T07:21:39+00:00

    Even when the absolute volume control works for me - which is intermittently at best - Microsoft's arbitrary decision to let its operating system to directly take control of my speaker's volume is arrogant and completely disregards the fact I use that speaker with other devices.

    In that case they're damned if they do or if they don't. In such cases why is it fair to blame Microsoft themselves? Surely if the other OS developers also afforded this level of control for your speaker, the 'volume mismatch' problem when using different devices would be totally alleviated so how can that be Microsoft's fault?

    I don't for one second believe this is an arbitrary change, to the contrary, I think it's one they've been wanting to do for a long time. In the end people simply want to control their speaker or headset volume and any system that takes 'full control' of that matter is a good thing In my books (rather than having to adjust both a devices own volume control and then the OS's own volume slider (two actions to achieve the one outcome).

    I use my BT headset with multiple devices too (both my Win 10 tablet using ver 1803 and my Win 10 phone which (unfortunately for me) hasn't been/wont be updated beyond ver 1709. This means the former has the ability to directly control my headsets volume and the latter doesn't. I normally have my headset on max volume using its own volume control when connected to my phone and set the phones volume half way for optimal listening, when I connect the headset to my tablet instead I don't have blaring loud volume however so I'm not sure what you're getting at re changing volumes when swapping devices (maybe this is a headset specific issue)?

    Certainly its a concern that this new volume control only works 'intermittently' for you, it's rock solid for me now I've updated my BT receiver/transmitter drivers (although it definitely wasn't before then). Installing the correct drivers for my hardware made the world of difference for me, maybe it will for you too (assuming your BT receiver/transmitter manufacturer gets onboard and releases or re-releases suitable drivers)?

    For those people with old/not fully supported BT receiver/transmitters there may be the option of using a newer USB BT receiver/transmitter but admittedly this would come at a cost. I understand the annoyance of people in this situation. Sometime older hardware slipping off the 'supported radar' is the price we pay for progress

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-08-08T09:34:59+00:00

    Cannot use my Bluetooth headset with Windows 10 anymore.

    Someone should have warned us to avoid 1803 like the plaque it is. You won't be able to roll it back.

    This is going on for 4 months now and clearly shows that Microsoft doesn't care about its users.

    Absolute arrogance.

    Completely agree. Even when the absolute volume control works for me - which is intermittently at best - Microsoft's arbitrary decision to let its operating system to directly take control of my speaker's volume is arrogant and completely disregards the fact I use that speaker with other devices.

    Previously, I kept the speaker volume static and used the devices to adjust their volume to give me fine control over the level for each device. Now, after using the speaker with my laptop, its volume level has been changed meaning when I pair with something else, the result is often the volume level is too low or too high, because other manufacturers don't choose to take control of my speaker's volume and I then have to manually adjust it.

    Change for the sake of change and, like you say, introduced through corporate arrogance...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments